TurboGrafx Collecting? [Archive] - Retrogaming Roundtable

JanLazer

04-01-2009, 04:55 PM

Greetings all,

Currently I am in the midst of collecting Sega Master System games, but as I was wandering around today I remembered seeing a boxed TurboGrafx-16 system at a local store. Today, I also entertained thoughts about collecting for said system(did not have the Turbo CD attachment). Was just curious if there was any TG16 collectors out there that could give me advice on whether this is a worthwhile venture?

I remember seeing the TG16 when I was younger and I always wanted to play/get one, but never did..Figure since I have a chance now, may as well give it a shot, right? Anyways, yes..Seeking advice from TG16 collectors. :D

Bojay1997

04-01-2009, 05:13 PM

I think it's a great system, but you are very quickly going to find that just having the TG-16 alone is not enough. There are a ton of great CD-Rom games that require either the TG-CD or the Duo (or the Laseractive with TG module I suppose) to play. Admittedly, a lot of the better Turbo games are being released on the Wii Virtual Console, but I still love my Turbo stuff and the controller is very small and space age in a retro way. Used Turbo games can be had very cheaply if you don't mind copies without the outer box. Overall, I think it's a great purchase, especially if you love Sega Master System style games.

ButtonMasher123

04-01-2009, 05:23 PM

Its a tough call on whether its worth it or not. If you don't have the CD attachment the library is limited to about 100 games, but there is still a lot of quality games there. Regardless of the upgrades though, you better be a fan of SHMUPS as the Turbografx is loaded with them and those are mostly the best games. It can get pricey too buying Turbo games because of the rarity factor.

Despite all of that though, I still say its worth it. The library is limted, but the games that are good are usually really good kinda like the Sega Master System that you are already collecting for.

Gameguy

04-01-2009, 06:32 PM

I do like the system, I've found there to be plenty of good games available for it. The only thing is that games are harder to come across and they're usually more expensive than games for other systems(NES/SNES/Genesis). All the games I have were purchased locally, so I don't have as many games for it as I do for other systems. I still consider it to be a good system worth owning.

boogiecat

04-01-2009, 06:33 PM

Collecting games from this system is worth investing in(i've been lately collecting games for this system also but im not into completing it just like what i've done with my other games) but be ready to cash in or spend lots of money buying games for this great system(you must complete the add-ons for this console if you can!)....LOL

tubeway

04-01-2009, 06:54 PM

The American releases seem to hold their value well and are always in demand, so it's a good investment from a financial perspective.

The library is pretty solid, and there aren't a lot of duds compared to other systems of the era. Playing a TG16 definitely feels like its own experience. I'd recommend it. Just make sure you buy quality, and buy complete when you can, if you ever think you might need to get rid of the games. If you're just concerned about playing the games, then loose hucards are usually pretty cheap except for the several key titles in the US (cotton, air zonk, etc).

Press_Start

04-01-2009, 06:54 PM

Turbo Grafx is an awesome system. They're still plenty of great games outside the tons of SHMUPs showcased:

Bloody Wolf
Military Madness
Bonk's Adventure
Bonk's Revenge
Cadash
Splatterhouse
Legendary Axe I&II
Neutopia
Alien Crush
Devil's Crush
Time Cruise
Dragon's Curse
Space Harrier

Here's a few must haves for CD/SuperCD:

Gates of Thunder 3-in-1
Ys I&II
Ys III
Dragon Slayer: Legend of Heroes
Riot Zone
Lords of Thunder

The biggest problem is price. The Turbo-CD/Turbo Duo costs around $100-$200 at least. Some rare games will take a BIG bite into your wallet (i.e. Magical Chase $300, Dynastic Hero $400).

If you're inclined in saving a few bucks, they are available on Virtual Console for a small fraction ($5-8 a game) for what they go for on Ebay. Still got the desire to try the real thing (HuCards and CDs), then I suggest getting the original Turbo Grafx-16 and the PC-Engine Duo/Duo-R. It's the cheapest route. The PCE Duo systems is region-free for CDs and can play both American and Japanese games as well as the Japanese HuCards. And with the Turbo-grafx 16, you got the full Turbo experience right there.

A good place to start is the forums at pcenginefx.com, they got plenty to sell. The only other good site is Ebay but don't buy from gamesquad, his prices are outrageous! ($100 for a boxed Deep Blue! @_@)

Joe West

04-01-2009, 07:01 PM

if you buy a tg-16 system, its a must......pick up the duo......& then your good to go...

JanLazer

04-01-2009, 07:05 PM

I've seen a TurboDuo for sale around here as well...But its a little outta my price range ($320 or something to that effect)...And it was just loose..I figured pouncing on this boxed TG-16 would be a good start, then see what I can do to snag a PC Engine-Duo...Going to check the pcenginefx site now. :D

boogiecat

04-01-2009, 07:17 PM

JanLazer

04-01-2009, 07:21 PM

Yeah the Turbo Duo is the best so far to start with...Cotton(US version) for the TG-16 is kinda expensive but its still a great game so you should get one of those(i recommend this one actually as a Cotton fanboy!!)..:rocker:

Why do I have a feeling I'm taking a short walk off a long pier by getting into the NEC scene? lol. Ah well..Always been one to dive in headfirst anyways. :D I shall keep my eyes out for Cotton, then..Since I keep on hearing about it..

You know...After I get at least one system to play it on. :D

tubeway

04-01-2009, 07:59 PM

I shall keep my eyes out for Cotton, then..Since I keep on hearing about it..

If there's one Turbo Grafx game to pick, it's Cotton. Pick it up if you can find it. Cotton, that is.

Geddon_jt

04-01-2009, 08:18 PM

Great system, one of my all time favorites. Collecting for the system can be a challenge, especially if you are after complete games. Many games can be found pretty cheap but there are a few dozen that are quite elusive and very pricey.

Icarus Moonsight

04-01-2009, 08:27 PM

Turbo/PC-E has it's share of essential gaming. Plus, if you're a fan of shmups then getting into this system is a total no-brainer as it's among the best for the genre.

boogiecat

04-01-2009, 09:01 PM

Yeah some of them are pricey and elusive but then again its worth spending time and money on these great games for this great console..So far i've owned alot of games for this console(most of them are PC-Engine games from Japan which are cheap but some are expensive and i've bought some TG-16 US-spec games also)...ROFL Shump games on this console was awesome!!!

Rickstilwell1

04-01-2009, 09:12 PM

If you liked Zelda 1 on the NES or Golden Axe Warrior on Sega Master System, keep an eye out for Neutopia and Neutopia II. They are just like those two games but with better graphics. You can save to passwords if you don't have the add-ons of the duo system. There are even hidden areas in the overworld like in Zelda.

Tron 2.0

04-02-2009, 12:42 AM

If you got the money Janlazer go for it if you don't then skip it.Some games be can had cheap while with other titles,not so much such as magicail chase and dynastic hero.Even if you try to find the games in the wild it's some thing rare to find.When i got back into it years ago i had to use ebay to get most of the (TG16) games that i wanted.Still...the other option is the pce and is usely cheaper on some titles case in point look at bonk 3.The u.s bonk 3 can be realy expensive while the jpn version is much cheaper.

Btw if you have any more questions there is "pcenginefx.com" i am a member there.That site was a alot of help when i started to play and collect (TG16&PCE) games again.

Still don't be surpise at the prices for "TG16 games as of late" it has gotten out of controll.

Also games on cd are region free.While hucards are region locked unless a region switch is put in or a converter is use.

Tron 2.0

04-02-2009, 12:46 AM

Yeah the Turbo Duo is the best so far to start with
You mean a duo-r or rx not every body wants to fix a turbo duo when the sound starts to break up.

A Black Falcon

04-02-2009, 12:58 AM

You mean a duo-r or rx not every body wants to fix a turbo duo when the sound starts to break up.

Indeed. A standard Duo, US or Japanese, is not recommended unless you have the skills to replace capacitors... get in import Duo-R or Duo-RX. They won't play US HuCard games without a mod, but for that you can either have it modded or use a TG16. Of course then you have to deal with how to save on your US cards, if you don't have a TurboBooster Plus (really rare and pricey) or Turbo CD addon (expensive), and the TG16 and Duo or Japanese systems have different controller types so you need two sets of controllers or a rare and expensive converter... and then you need to think about a save backupfor your Turbo CD or Duo, because the internal memory is really small and fills up very quickly. There's no US-released memory card; the memory card (a 4x one) was Japan-only. There were other memory addon things that plug in either through the controller port or maybe the back, but I don't know how those work...

I guess I'd say the ideal (expensive!) solution would be a SuperGrafx+Super CD-ROM2 drive for the Japanese games and CDs (with an Arcade Card Duo, memory card, and a duo tap with 5 duo controllers (2 6-button, 2 3-button, 1 regular?), and a US TG16+TurboBooster Plus or TurboCD for US cards, with the Booster Plus or CD for saving on the HuCard games that support it, so you don't need annoyingly long passwords. You'd also need either a TurboTap and set of US TG16 original controllers or reverse tap (hard to find, come in both Duo-Turbo and Turbo-Duo formats) so you can use the duo controllers on the tg16... of course, given that I already have a regular turbotap plus two controllers... yeah, I'm not quite sure on this point, yet. :)

A Duo R or RX would be similiar, but like half the price of a SuperGrafx+Super-CDROM2 drive, and without support for the seven SuperGrafx games.

And beyond that, the games are expensive. Looking on EBay and Amazon, you really need to be willing to pay at least $15-20 for virtually anything aside from Keith Courage (which is decent, but just one game) and the system's moderately large selection of awful sports games. Some games cost quite a bit.

Yeah, the TG16 is a complex system to collect for, that's for sure. Unless you just get a base card system with no intention of adding on a CD drive, you can't just buy the system and start buying games without thinking of a lot of issues that the hardware has, such as the ones above...

Don't let that dissuade you though, it's a great system. I found a TG16 in a local store last month, much to my surprise (first one I've seen around here in many years!), so I picked it up... it's just the base US card system (with multitap and two controllers), so I'll eventually need to get more stuff for it (once I have the money for that kind of thing...), but it's great to have, for sure.

HYB

04-02-2009, 03:27 AM

I see this thread is mostly about TG-16 collecting in the US. Can someone share some light on how expensive the pal collecting is and how hard the games are to come by (or anything at all)? I got interested in the console and found a complete one for cheap but I'm only really interested in the pal region games. I know absolutely nothing about the TG-16, so it'd be nice to have some more info :).

boogiecat

04-02-2009, 03:57 AM

You mean a duo-r or rx not every body wants to fix a turbo duo when the sound starts to break up.

I owned both Turbo Duo and Duo-RX but i often use the Duo RX..

pseudonym

04-02-2009, 03:59 AM

HYB

04-02-2009, 06:46 AM

I think that beyond the console and the pack-in game (Keith Courage) there weren't any other Turbo-related items were released in Europe.

I haven't seen any either. I understand the PAL console plays US games so I think most at ebay.co.uk are imports from the US. Gotta keep digging for more info though.

Atarileaf

04-02-2009, 07:38 AM

I just picked up my first TG-16 in the wild last week, after trading in my original for a Genesis back in '91 (how stupid was I?) I have a few good games - Blazing Lazers, Alien Crush, Galaga 90, Bonks Adventure, and some others that I'm very happy with.

I also picked up a Turbo Express for $7 that day but unfortunately it doesn't seem to work. The unit gets power but its just a black or blank screen. From the info I've researched its most likely that it needs the capacitors replaced. Is this a hard job? Problem is I've never soldered in my life so I've either got to learn or have some one do it for me. Its too bad, its a great little (ok not so little for a handheld) unit.

JanLazer

04-02-2009, 11:01 AM

God, didn't realize I'd get this much input on this subject. Awesome. :D

Yeah, I think I'm going to cave in and get the boxed TG-16 today...I know the store had a few games there as well, and I shall start saving to get the CD add-on/Duo R/RX, etc..Will try to keep my eyes open for Neutopia/Cotton and the rest of the addons as well..

Thanks again to everyone! You've all been a great help. Just waiting for the admins to approve my account on pcenginefx and everything'll be swanky. :D

Pezcore343

04-02-2009, 11:48 AM

I remember hearing that the TG-16 wasn't released in Europe but that there was a big import scene for it, either from Japan in some parts of Europe or the US in others.

Mason P.

04-02-2009, 02:10 PM

I was thinking on getting a PC Engine Core and get it modded to play both US and Jap games. Just don't know where to get one let alone how much it should cost.

Does this system play in stereo?

JanLazer

04-02-2009, 02:18 PM

Quick Update: Did some trading, came up short. No TG-16 today. :( Ah well. May just save up for a PC-E Duo R instead. Thanks again to all who gave their input. :)

bust3dstr8

04-02-2009, 02:34 PM

The Pal unit was the same as the US TG, they just added a different vid encoder. Also IFC the Pal unit was bundled with R-Type.

jperryss

04-02-2009, 05:37 PM

Cotton is a great game, but kinda pricey for a new owner/first game. I'd lean more towards Lords of Thunder, or even the Gate of Thunder disc with both Bonk games and the hidden Bomberman game on it.

jperryss

04-02-2009, 05:54 PM

I guess I'd say the ideal (expensive!) solution would be a SuperGrafx+Super CD-ROM2 drive for the Japanese games and CDs (with an Arcade Card Duo, memory card, and a duo tap with 5 duo controllers (2 6-button, 2 3-button, 1 regular?), and a US TG16+TurboBooster Plus or TurboCD for US cards, with the Booster Plus or CD for saving on the HuCard games that support it, so you don't need annoyingly long passwords. You'd also need either a TurboTap and set of US TG16 original controllers or reverse tap (hard to find, come in both Duo-Turbo and Turbo-Duo formats) so you can use the duo controllers on the tg16... of course, given that I already have a regular turbotap plus two controllers... yeah, I'm not quite sure on this point, yet. :)

A Duo R or RX would be similiar, but like half the price of a SuperGrafx+Super-CDROM2 drive, and without support for the seven SuperGrafx games.

IMO, if you don't care about the 7 SuperGrafx games you'll miss out on, a region-modded Duo-R or Duo-RX is your best bet. For what you'll typically pay for a TG16, tap, controllers, etc. in addition to a Duo-R/RX (also with a tap and extra controllers, since the ports are different) it seems like it'll always be cheaper to region mod the Duo-R and skip the TG16 altogether. Plus, there's something inherently neat about having a single system that plays everything.

My setup: PCE Duo-R (region-modded by a pcenginefx member after I purchased it), Arcade Card Duo, tap, and three controllers (still need at least one more). Total cost was just under $300 including the region mod. I have everything I need from a single unit: access to the entire library of US and JP games (including ACDs) and no sound cap issues. Plus the Duo-R is sexier, IMO. :cool:

The backup memory storage issue can be solved with a Tennokoe Bank which I have on the way (about $8 complete from RisingStuff, who I highly recommend BTW).

Tron 2.0

04-02-2009, 11:23 PM

I owned both Turbo Duo and Duo-RX but i often use the Duo RX..
I see just thought i clear that up on the turbo duo issue ;) My setup is still a duo-r and a region modded TG16+CD attatchment.Though right now i'm,having a member at pcenginefx.com doing some mods on the duo.

calistarwind

04-02-2009, 11:46 PM

One of the greatest deals I ever got on a game system was on the Turbo Duo. I had a customer (this was years ago) who was drunk quite a bit and had a thing for the ladies. He sold me his Turbo Duo with 55 games (including the Street Fighter II Tournament Edition for PC Engine with adaptor) with Avenue6 pads all for $150. He even let me take the system and games home to try them out to see if I would be happy with them. All of the games even have reviews from game magazines cut out and tucked inside.

boogiecat

04-03-2009, 02:34 AM

Tron 2.0

04-03-2009, 03:12 AM

D@mn someone is selling me a Cotton US version game on the TG-16 for $100-$120!!!
I wouldn't pay that much for a u.s cotton but hey that's just me.It's cheaper just to get the jpn cotton,most it will cost ya is $40.00 and it does have the option for english play.

pseudonym

04-03-2009, 03:35 AM

I wouldn't pay that much for a u.s cotton but hey that's just me.It's cheaper just to get the jpn cotton,most it will cost ya is $40.00 and it does have the option for english play.

I remember buying mine for $50, $100+ is way too much IMO. Also, what was the pack-in game for the PAL Turbo Grafx? I got a Keith Courage with mine, someone else said R-Type.

I have an almost complete Turbo Grafx collection. I'm just missing 5 Hucards, 8 CDs, and various odds and ends. Still need a lot of the outer boxes and original jewel cases... if anyone has any that they're willing to sell, PM me. =)

boogiecat

04-03-2009, 03:55 PM

Actually that TG-16 Cotton that my friend had offered or selling to me is a sealed or unopened brand new copy of it.... But i won't buy that thing...

A Black Falcon

04-03-2009, 06:09 PM

IMO, if you don't care about the 7 SuperGrafx games you'll miss out on, a region-modded Duo-R or Duo-RX is your best bet. For what you'll typically pay for a TG16, tap, controllers, etc. in addition to a Duo-R/RX (also with a tap and extra controllers, since the ports are different) it seems like it'll always be cheaper to region mod the Duo-R and skip the TG16 altogether. Plus, there's something inherently neat about having a single system that plays everything.

My setup: PCE Duo-R (region-modded by a pcenginefx member after I purchased it), Arcade Card Duo, tap, and three controllers (still need at least one more). Total cost was just under $300 including the region mod. I have everything I need from a single unit: access to the entire library of US and JP games (including ACDs) and no sound cap issues. Plus the Duo-R is sexier, IMO. :cool:

The backup memory storage issue can be solved with a Tennokoe Bank which I have on the way (about $8 complete from RisingStuff, who I highly recommend BTW).

How much, exactly, does getting one of those mods done cost? There's the mod itself, plus shipping both ways... not cheap I'd imagine, but I don't think I've actually heard a number.

jperryss

04-03-2009, 06:56 PM

How much, exactly, does getting one of those mods done cost? There's the mod itself, plus shipping both ways... not cheap I'd imagine, but I don't think I've actually heard a number.

It depends on who's doing it, but average cost seems to be around the $50-60 mark, plus round-trip shipping as you said. It would've cost me at least that to get the same full setup out of a second (TG16) unit. (I'd previously bought a TG16 setup, but ended up selling that when I decided to have the Duo modded, and luckily I only lost what I'd paid in shipping costs.) And, to me, the convenience of having a single unit instead of two, where I don't have a whole lot of space to begin with, was a huge bonus. I was also lucky as the guy who did mine is fairly local (only one state away) so 'next-day' shipping was cheap.

Of course, you could do the same thing with a US Duo. I went with a JP Duo-R because a) I'm paranoid of the capacitor issues with the original Duo, and b) JP Duo-R and RX systems are actually more common and can be found a little cheaper if you shop around. Gotta watch out for the shipping costs though.

EDIT: And yes, overall prices are pretty jacked on eBay right now. Already been said, but AVOID GAME_SQUAD. Their prices are an absolute joke and I hate how EVERY TG system auction they have (even the ones that are TG16 system only) have DUO in the title. Makes it a pain in the butt if you're looking for Duo stuff. If you have a system that can play PCE JP games, many PCE games are English-friendly and I was actually surprised at how much English is in a lot of them. Plus, many JP games do not carry the same outrageous prices as their US counterparts. For example, I just ordered (through RisingStuff, which I think I already mentioned but am mentioning again because they rock) PC Genjin 3 (aka Bonk 3, one of the last and rare/pricey hucard games made) for $33. I probably couldn't find a complete US Bonk 3 for under $80, and one recently sold here for over $100, I believe.

calistarwind

04-03-2009, 10:22 PM

Sorry Double Post

calistarwind

04-03-2009, 10:24 PM

Wow that's great,seems like the previous owner of that Turbo Duo really loved that console..You're lucky!!

Yeah I'm sure at one time he really did love that console. He had a friend though who got mad at me because he offered him $300 for it, he said it was because I was a female that he sold it to me so cheap. I of course was just glad to finally have one, since all I currently had was the turbo grafx 16 and really wanted to play the CD games.

Sonicwolf

04-04-2009, 12:17 AM

vincewy

04-04-2009, 03:45 AM

Depending on where you live, be prepared to use eBay. I live in a relatively small city and there is very little Turbografx stuff anywhere. I bought a TG16 last summer for 50 bucks with 3 complete games and I have not seen anything Turbografx since. Not one thing. Kind of sucks. Its very hard to find in the wild here, but I dont know about other people. Thats why I rely on eBay for such things.

If possible, try to make it to Seattle's Chinatown next to the train station (actually it's more like international town) and there's Pink Godzilla Games (caution: be prepared to have lots of cash)

http://www.pinkgodzillagames.com

They have tons of classic stuff, I saw loads of PC-Engine, Saturn, SFC (they also have classic US games but their emphasis is classic Japanese imports). I believe they can mail order games, the owner does system mods as well, you won't be disappointed.

p.s. In the past, Vancouver and Toronto areas used to be havens for import game shops. In some of the large Asian malls, it's not uncommon to see 10+ game stores within a mall. My last visit to Toronto I was totally dismayed by the types of their operations - system mods, burning CD/DVDs. You see all the stores selling consoles and handhelds, yet almost no games displayed on the shelf, I was hoping there were at least some decent selections of import Wii, PS3, PS2, and Dreamcast, but there's nada, let alone classic stuff. Looks like they just burn games for consoles, copy flash roms for Game Boy/DS. I'll visit Vancouver next month and hopefully there're some options.

MrRoboto19XX

04-04-2009, 04:18 AM

If possible, try to make it to Seattle's Chinatown next to the train station (actually it's more like international town) and there's Pink Godzilla Games (caution: be prepared to have lots of cash)

http://www.pinkgodzillagames.com

They have tons of classic stuff, I saw loads of PC-Engine, Saturn, SFC (they also have classic US games but their emphasis is classic Japanese imports). I believe they can mail order games, the owner does system mods as well, you won't be disappointed.

I too can vouch for this store, visited them last year and they were great. Very friendly to boot!

I've been re-getting into Turbo collecting lately, after going on hiatus for a while due to cost. However, costs have gone down, and I've got slightly more leeway in my budget for the stuff. My goal right now is to eventually get myself a Duo-R, as it seems to be the best choice for me right now. I've got a US base system right now and am really digging it.

Of particular note is the copy of Devil's Crush I picked up at NAVA last weekend, I've been playing the crap out of it! I had some friends over today, and we played it for the majority of the night, I can't recommend it enough!

Also because there isn't anywhere else where somebody might care, here is the score I managed tonight, not Twin Galaxies material, but a good run!

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j157/MrRoboto19XX/DSCN2058-1.jpg

Tron 2.0

04-04-2009, 04:25 AM

Actually that TG-16 Cotton that my friend had offered or selling to me is a sealed or unopened brand new copy of it.... But i won't buy that thing...
For that price no wounder well you know there's a choice at least far as cotton go's.

boogiecat

04-04-2009, 10:32 AM

For that price no wounder well you know there's a choice at least far as cotton go's.

Yeah your right about that..But im not into completing my TG-16/PC Engine games(im not a game collector BTW but im not against other collectors out there).Im more into buying,playing and hunting games that i want for my fave system(PC Engine/TG-16 is one of them!!).So far i've got a non sealed Cotton TG-16 and PC Engine versions of it and they're well used and in working condition..Right now im considering of buying another Duo-RX unit in Japan when my trip there comes into reality sometime this year..

megasdkirby

04-04-2009, 11:21 AM

The TG is a great console to collect, but be warned: you will be spending quite a few bucks trying to complete a CIB collection! This is what deterred me from collecting TG games. Awesome system, just VERY expensive (some games).

The SMS is far easier to collect for, sans a few titles that are a pain to get. I am still shy of two SMS games: Sonic w/UPC and Strider w/UPC. Actually, I already have Strider...just looking for a better condition box. But even then, some games were insanely high as well.

I would recommend what my friend Policenaut mentioned: do one system at a time. Focus first on the SMS then on others. If you try to do many at one shot, you are going to burn yourself out and even quit collecting.

Also, be prepared to by one game from an entire lot...I had to buy a lot of six games (for example) just to get one SMS game. That is why I have a bunch here I am trying to get rid off/sell. Oh well. :)

MrRoboto19XX

04-05-2009, 03:36 AM

JanLazer

04-06-2009, 02:46 PM

I would recommend what my friend Policenaut mentioned: do one system at a time. Focus first on the SMS then on others. If you try to do many at one shot, you are going to burn yourself out and even quit collecting.

Also, be prepared to by one game from an entire lot...I had to buy a lot of six games (for example) just to get one SMS game. That is why I have a bunch here I am trying to get rid off/sell. Oh well. :)

Yeah, I know how that goes...Wish I could FIND lots around here though. lol. Skeptical about buying them on eBay due to shipping costs, but yeah..

And I may be pming you later about a few of your games..By later, I mean when I get paid and can sneak some money past the wife..lol.

And finally, I've been thinking about just collecting for one system for a while...Think that might be the best course of action..I keep delving into Genny and Sega CD games as well, if I can't find any SMS(not going to pass up a deal when I see it. lol).

Thanks for the advice, kirby. :D

pseudonym

04-06-2009, 03:06 PM

Alright guys, I'm thinking about biting the bullet and buying a Duo-R I found an excellent price on, but I have a question: is surface mail reliable?

I know it arrives via boat or some equally slow method, but does anyone have any experience with it? I just want to know I'm not throwing money away on a console I've wanted for some time. Thanks!

It's fine in my experience, but be prepared for a long wait because it's sllloooooooooowwww as hell. Sometimes a month or longer. I would just go EMS personally.

boogiecat

04-06-2009, 05:46 PM

EMS is still the way to go...

BTW i've seen alot of expensive PC Engine-TG-16 CD at HuCard games online for sale lately...

Ed Oscuro

04-06-2009, 05:56 PM

Myself, I stick to PC-Engine only. Everything works here on domestic current and televisions just fine (actually I have been using a PC-Engine GT but that's another story), and I can buy the occasional oddball PC-Engine game I'm interested in that didn't get a US release. Most all the CD stuff seems to work in the US though, so it's basically a handful of strange hucards like Aero Blasters that won't work. Still, JPN only works for me.

That said, if you're US centric you will be able to find most all of the best PCE games, plus you can play the upgraded version of Magical Chase (a game I don't really like, but many love it).

duo_r

04-06-2009, 06:20 PM

the best scenario - a region modded system so you can play it all. Often when the US games get pricey (like Dungeon Explorer II) I "cheat" and buy the import version. But I prefer to play more text heavy games like Neutopia or YS games in English. It really comes down to what you like to play, if you are more action / shooter oriented, PC Engine all the way!

Tron 2.0

04-06-2009, 10:36 PM

Alright guys, I'm thinking about biting the bullet and buying a Duo-R I found an excellent price on, but I have a question: is surface mail reliable?

I know it arrives via boat or some equally slow method, but does anyone have any experience with it? I just want to know I'm not throwing money away on a console I've wanted for some time. Thanks!
Duo-r is a relibale model i have one and it won't suffer from the sound issue problem that a,pce duo/turbo duo have.Right now i'm having Duo_r doing some mods on it and he's giving it the works.As for useing surface mail on a console for shipping i don't know.If you want it to get where you're at safely...i highly suggest useing ems then.

alexander4488

04-07-2009, 03:40 AM

All I have for my TurboGrafx is Bonk's Adventure and Bonk's Revenge. All I want now for it is Bonk 3. That's pretty much it.

duo_r

04-07-2009, 04:19 AM

Bonk's revenge is my favorite, but I like having Bonk 3. Little tip - importing is alot cheaper on that one.

tomaitheous

04-07-2009, 07:10 PM

All I have for my TurboGrafx is Bonk's Adventure and Bonk's Revenge. All I want now for it is Bonk 3. That's pretty much it.

Wow <_<

You must really like Bonk games. There are some other fun hucards, you know.

boogiecat

04-08-2009, 07:31 AM

Lord Contaminous

04-08-2009, 02:20 PM

Just get on YouTube and search "PC Engine". You'll be amazed.

Yeah I was pretty big into PC Engine collecting, though not all of them, I got a great number of the games I've ever wanted. My modded Duo-R's controller port went out whack and needs some soldering...(I don't have the security bit screwdriver to open it up, plus I never soldered before), and I need a new AV Cable cause it peeled down like a Twizzler, disabling stereo sound.

In my experience, when it comes to RPG's, since they're cheaper I go ahead and buy Japanese versions anyway and use walkthroughs and just simply take it as a learning experience.

You should also get the arcade card Duo (or Pro if you're using a CD-ROM setup made before 1991 (the Duo era) and Hudson Soft's ports of SNK's Neo Geo fighters. Out of the 4 I only have Fatal Fury 2 and Art of Fighting.

Art of Fighting looks so damn beautiful, even though the "scaling" is really just a resolution switch, the sprites are right up there with the Neo Geo.

boogiecat

04-08-2009, 04:51 PM

For me even if its kinda expensive to collect and find hardware or games wise for the NEC PC-Engine/TG-16 i still believe that its worth the time,money and effort cause in the end owning these great hardware/sofware would be a great thing and a must for a true video gamer!!:guitar:

The Fatal Fury 2 on the PC Engine was very common actually,Play-Asia.com is selling a factory sealed version of it for $9.90:

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-4jgc-71-8n-49-en-15-fatal+fury-84-j-70-on3.html

I saw a Darius Alpha on the PC Engine being sold at a very expensive price lately..

Gentlegamer

04-08-2009, 04:57 PM

boogiecat

04-08-2009, 05:06 PM

Its very steep in terms of pricing but remember this is way cheaper than Darius Alpha on the PC Engine...:evil:

TurboGenesis

04-08-2009, 05:33 PM

Play-Asia is currently selling one of the most expensive and rarest PC Engine game which is Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire:

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-4jgc-71-8n-77-3-49-en-15-sapphire-84-j-70-bc4.html

Its kinda pricey but a must buy for TG-16/PC Engine collectors and fans!!:evil laugh:

Just my opinion, and that of many others�

Sapphire is not that great of a shooting game. The graphics are well done for its time and hardware, but the gameplay is rather lacking and not of great quality especially when compared to many other fine shooters on the Turbo/PC Engine.

Also of note, Sapphire has been the target of bootlegs. There are ALOT of Sapphire online that are counterfeit. I have trust in Play-Asia, as I buy all my import from them, but just fair warning should someone seek other places for Sapphire. There are much informations on the internets in how to spot counterfeit and legit Sapphire game.

For shooting fan, Sapphire leave something to be desired, for collector, it is a true rarity�

A Black Falcon

04-08-2009, 06:12 PM

Its very steep in terms of pricing but remember this is way cheaper than Darius Alpha on the PC Engine...:evil:

You mean Darius Plus, right? Alpha's not as rare.

boogiecat

04-08-2009, 06:14 PM

Yeah its Darius Plus..

jperryss

04-08-2009, 07:00 PM

Play-Asia is currently selling one of the most expensive and rarest PC Engine game which is Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire:

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-4jgc-71-8n-77-3-49-en-15-sapphire-84-j-70-bc4.html

Its kinda pricey but a must buy for TG-16/PC Engine collectors and fans!!:evil laugh:

First off, no need to scare off a potential new guy with by flaunting the most expensive PCE title you have in your store.

Secondly, it's a decent game. Not amazing, IMO, but decent.

Third, counterfeit Sapphires are VERY common and not immediately obvious. And I know it's an expensive title but didn't think it was $400 expensive. If you're expecting to get that kind of coin for it, you should be prepared to show proof that the one you're selling ain't a bootleg.

boogiecat

04-08-2009, 07:09 PM

I don't think Play Asia would sell a bootleged game like this so im pretty sure it came from a legit supplier or source in Japan or somewhere else,heck i remember before there's a German guy at Pcenginefx.com Forums that's selling so-called licensed reprint/rerun copies of Sapphire a couple of years ago..I wonder what happened to that...

Right now im planning to buy a PAL version of TG-16 on ebay..

jperryss

04-08-2009, 08:21 PM

I don't think Play Asia would sell a bootleged game like this so im pretty sure it came from a legit supplier or source in Japan or somewhere else...

If you don't mind me asking, what exactly IS your relationship with play-asia? You act as if they're just a great place to buy games, and refer to them in the third-person, yet you have them linked in your sig AND in your profile.

I'll admit I'm new here and maybe I'm just not 'with it', and I'll humbly apologize if I'm jumping to the wrong conclusion, but with all your play-asia shilling I'm having a hard time taking you seriously right now.